Credit & Copyright: Intuitive Machines
Explanation:
Intuitive Machines'
robotic
lander Odysseus
has accomplished the first
U.S. landing on the Moon since the
Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
Launched on a SpaceX rocket on February 15, the phone booth sized
lander reached lunar orbit on the 21st and touched
down on the lunar surface
at 6:23 pm ET on February 22nd.
Its landing region is about 300 kilometers north of the
Moon's south pole,
near a crater designated Malapert A.
The lander is presently collecting solar power and transmitting
data back to the Intuitive Machines' mission control center in Houston.
The mission marks the first commercial uncrewed landing on the Moon.
Prior to landing, OdysseusÁ camera captured
this extreme wide angle image (landing legs visible at right) as it flew over
Schomberger crater
some 200 kilometers from its landing site.
Odysseus was still about 10 kilometers above the lunar surface.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Moon
Publications with words: Moon
See also: